S’wak BN slams Mahathir over oil rights comment

A senior official in the Sarawak Barisan Nasional has criticised Dr Mahathir Mohamad over his comments on the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) and the unfavourable terms it gives to the state.

Tan Kai, who is a political secretary to Chief Minister Abang Johari Tun Openg, called out the Pakatan Harapan chairman over his reasons for not repealing the PDA in his 22-year tenure as prime minister.

“Mahathir could have easily repealed PDA if he thought that it was not fair to Sarawak, as he had a two-thirds majority all the time,” Tan said in a statement yesterday.

Mahathir, who is also PPBM chairman, had reportedly said that his hands were tied as the PDA was drafted and approved before his time as prime minister, hence he could not do anything about the oil royalty and funds to be given to Sarawak.